Know Soil, Know Life Glossary
This glossary is designed for more advanced explorations of soil science terms and words. The words and definitions are from the SSSA Book Know Soil Know Life.
Not finding a word? Try the advanced Glossary of Soil Science Terms. Too advanced? Check out the Young Scientists glossary for introductory words and definitions.
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Dichotomous Key |
A key used to classify an item in which each stage presents two options, with a direction to another stage in the key, until the lowest level is reached. |
| Dissolve |
Transformation of a compound into its component cations and anions. |
| Diurnal |
Any pattern that recurs daily. |
| Diversion |
A structure or barrier built to divert part or all of the water of a stream to a different course. |
| Dynamic |
A system that is active, and constantly changing due to many interactions among components. |
| Earthworm |
Segmented worm that burrows through soil leaving passages for rapid air and water movement. |
| Ecology |
Study of how organisms relate to each other and to their environment. |
| Ecosystem |
A system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their environment. |
| Ectomycorrhiza (Plural: Ectomycorrhizae) |
Association (usually beneficial) between fungi and plants that forms a fungal sheath on the outside of the root tip and hyphae among cortical cells of the root (adjective form is ectomycorrhizal). |
| Effluent |
Liquid portion of wastes removed during the wastewater treatment process, |
| Eluviation |
The translocation (removal) of soil material (either suspended or dissolved in water filling soil pores) from a layer (soil horizon) to a deeper horizon. Usually, the total loss of material from the soil profile to groundwater is called “leaching.” |
| Endosaturation |
The soil is saturated with water in all layers from the upper boundary of saturation to a depth of 200 cm or more from the mineral soil surface. See also episaturation. |
| Entisols |
Soils with little or no morphological (horizon) development—beaches, sand dunes, and floodplains. |
| Entrainment |
Particles caught and transported in the flow of water or wind, |
| Eolian |
Pertaining to earth material transported and deposited by the wind including dune sands, sand sheets, loess, and parna. |
